McLaughlin does it again with Roar Emotion

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The Kiaran McLaughlin juggernaut continues to roll along. Even in his absence.

Roar Emotion gave the McLaughlin barn, which is winning races at better than a 60 per cent clip at Gulfstream Park this winter, its third stakes victory of the meet when drawing off to an easy 5 1/2-length victory over Nonsuch Bay in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 .

Confidently ridden by John Velazquez, Roar Emotion stalked the pace of the 32-1 shot Ivanavinalot, shook free when roused into the stretch and steadily increased her advantage under strong handling. Nonsuch Bay finished well to be second best, three parts of a length in front of the late striding Lead Story.

Smok'n Frolic ducked out sharply behind the early leaders into the first turn impeding Passing Shot, Final Round and Grab Bag. She recovered to race within striking distance for five furlongs before dropping out of contention midway on the second turn. Smok' N Frolic, who went postward the slight 2-1 favorite, finished a tiring seventh.

Roar Emotion is a 4-year-old daughter of Roar owned by Joseph Allen. She paid $6.40 after running one mile and one sixteenth in 1:43.32 seconds over a fast track.

Neal McLaughlin saddled Roar Emotion for his brother Kiaran who was away on holiday with his family.

"She's improved every day and Johnny said she did everything better today than in her first start back last month," said McLaughlin. "She a big, powerful filly and was a little headstrong when we first got her but she's really learned to relax since getting into our training program. I was just glad she was in front of all that trouble around the first turn."

McLauglin said the Grade 2 Rampart Handicap on March 14 would be the most logical spot for Roar Emotion's next start.